Diabetics in Ireland advised to attend health checks to prevent complications

Diabetes patients in Ireland are being urged to ensure they have their blood pressure and kidneys checked every year following new figures which reveal a huge rise in rates of stroke and kidney failure among diabetics .
Latest research shows rates of stroke and kidney failure among such patients have reached record levels in Ireland.
According to the data, cases of diabetes-related stroke and kidney failure have reached record levels in Ireland, with the number of diabetics being treated for kidney failure soaring by 62 per cent between 2006 and 2010, while incidences of stroke rose by 36 per cent over the same period.
Dr Anna Clarke, Health Promotion Manager for Diabetes Ireland, said it was vital for people with diabetes to ensure they attend their annual health checks, eat healthily and exercise as much as possible.
Stroke and kidney failure are both serious complications of diabetes. Stroke occurs when high blood glucose levels over time affect the supply of blood to the brain, while kidney failure is often the result of late-stage kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy), which is directly influenced by high blood pressure (hypertension).